Seasonal & Holidays

Memorial Day 2017: Where To Go And What To Do In NYC

From office closings and schedule changes to parades and parties, Patch offers a rundown of local happenings for Memorial Day 2017.

NEW YORK, NY — The weather's expected to put a damper on Memorial Day but, if you're able to avoid the showers, New York City has plenty on offer to mark the holiday.

There will be a bounty of celebrations and other activities available throughout the weekend to lighten the mood of an otherwise murky forecast.

According to the City of New York, all government offices – including the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and courts – will be closed Monday and there will be no mail delivery or garbage pickup. All public schools and branches of the city’s public library systems will also be closed.

Find out what's happening in Brooklynwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Parades in the Big Apple


The most iconic Memorial Day parade in New York City is happening for the 150th time in Bay Ridge on May 29. Marchers will start at 78th Street and Third Avenue, traveling up Fourth Avenue and ending at John Paul Jones Park.

Find out what's happening in Brooklynwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Queens Memorial Day parade, regarded as the largest Memorial Day parade in the nation, also takes place on May 29 in Little Neck, beginning at 2 p.m. and traveling from Northern Boulevard and Jayson Avenue to The Divine Wisdom school parking lot. A number of other parades, from Forest Hills to Whitestone, are also scheduled to take place between Sunday, May 28 and Memorial Day.


Beach weather?


It might not be typical beach weather this weekend, but New York City’s public beaches are set to open Saturday, May 27 ahead of Memorial Day. New Yorkers can dip their toes in the water at Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn, Rockaway Beach in Queens or in Wolfe’s Pond Beach, South Beach and Midland Beach in Staten Island. Swimming is permitted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.


Fleet Week


Fleet Week is a seven-day celebration in New York City to honor the members of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. The annual, weeklong event begins with the Parade of Ships and continues with military demonstrations and a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Intrepid Museum. All activities are free to the public.


Memorial Day Commemoration at Green-Wood Cemetery


On May 29, there will be a concert with the ISO Symphonic Band, a march and a historian-led trolley tour as part of the annual Memorial Day commemoration at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn’s South Slope neighborhood, located between Sunset Park and Park Slope at 500 25th St.

The cost to participate is $25. Food and refreshments will be provided by local vendors throughout the day. The event will run from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Further details are available on the cemetery website.


The Great Brooklyn Grill-Out


Happening at The Food Sciences Academy at Long Island University in Fort Greene, The Great Brooklyn Grill-Out is described as “the mother of all summer barbecues” by Time Out.

The event, which takes place May 27 at 2 p.m. and costs $65 to attend, will be hosted by NYC Hot Sauce Expo producer Food Karma and will feature hot dogs, prochetta, portobello burgers and more alongside a grilled cheese sandwich competition and a hot sauce pavilion. Craft beers, ciders and ice cream will also be available for purchase. Time Out recommends bringing a bib.


House of Yes: Summer of Love


To celebrate Memorial Day, Bushwick’s House of Yes plans to go big, bright and outside on Sunday, May 28. Described as a “big day-party” bringing “vibes of brightness into wide, open spaces” for attendees’ fresh-air pleasures, the event — held from noon to 9 p.m. — is part of House of Yes’ Summer of Love at The Park series. RSVP is available on Eventbrite, but tickets are free. There is also a Facebook event page that offers additional detail.


Everybody Loves the 90s: Brunchtime in Harlem


New Yorkers are invited to a Saturday-morning brunch at MIST, located at 46 W 116th St. in Harlem. MIST describes itself as “unique, progressive and truly experiential,” offering six versatile event spaces under one roof: The Cafe, The Bar, The Terrace, The Restaurant and The Studios.

On May 28 at noon, MIST will host a $35 prix-fixe brunch that offers steak and eggs, chicken and waffles and mimosas while DJ E Class spins Generation X jams, from TLC to the Backstreet Boys.


Photo courtesy of Shutterstock


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